Means for producing high-frequency oscillatory currents.



J. C. ARMOR.

MEANS FOR PRODUCING HIGH FREQUENCY OSCILLATORY CURRENTS. APPLICXTION FILED NOV. 23, 1911 l ,2 1 6,647 Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

WITNESSES:

JAMES C. ARMOR, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

MEANS FOR PRODUCING HIGH-FREQUENCY OSCILLATORY CURRENTS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES C. ARMOR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Means for Producing High-Frequency Oscillatory Currents, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention relates to means for producing high frequency oscillatory currents and it has special reference to devices of this general class which are adapted for use in connection with wireless telegraphy, telephony and similar arts.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the above-indicated class which shall be simple in arrangement, compact and durable in construction, and eflicient and effective in operation.

'vide such a device that shall be particularly adapted for the direct production of intermittent unidirectional impulses.

In my co-pending application, Serial N 0. 654,741, I have fully set forth a method for producing sustained high frequency oscillatory currents which involves the employment of a gap, across which a jet or stream of gas or fluid is directed at a predetermined velocity that prevents oscillation and bears a more or less definite relation to the discharge distance, the number of discharges per second and the natural time period of the discharge circuit.

By properly choosing the velocity of the fluid jet, it is possible to rupture each discharge at a predetermined time, which I prefer to be the time that the first discharge passes through its zero value. Thus, a rapid succession of unidirectional intermittent impulses are produced which are equally spaced in time and are of equal amplitude, and, by impressing this train of impulses upon a circuit which is inductively related to a suitable working circuit, it is possible to set up a train of sustained oscillatory waves or currents of the desired frequency in the working circuit.

According to my present invention, I provide a discharge device which is particularly adapted for use in practising the invention set forth in my above-mentioned co-pending application, whereby a rapid succession ofnon-oscillatory impulses may be obtained, although the device may also Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 23, 1911.

' Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

Serial No. 661,886.

be advantageously employed for directly producing oscillatory currents in a manner similar to that heretofore practised in connection with wireless telegraphy.

My present invention employs, primarily, tubular electrodes which are disposed coaxially with respect to one another and are spaced slightly apart. tubular electrodes serves as a reservoir which is supplied with a suitable compressed gas or fluid, such as air, steam, hydrogen or oil, that is delivered radially between the adjacent edges of the cooperating electrodes at a high velocity which, by properly choosing the discharge distance and the gas or fluid pressure, may be of the requisite value to 'rupture the discharge path between the electrodes after the first passage of the discharge Wave inthe manner set forth in my c'opending application.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a partially diagrammatic and partially sectional view of a device constructed and connected in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a view, partially in side elevation and partially in section, of a modified form of my invention. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections employed in a particular use of my sparking device, and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 embody further modifications of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a source of energy 12 is adapted to deliver electrical energy to a circuit having the discharge device 3 through conductors 4 and 5 which severally contain a section of variable inductance 6 and of variable resistance 7, the gap 3 being shunted by a circuit which contains a variable condenser 9. The circuit conductor 5 also includes a primary member 10 of a transforming device, the secondary member 11 of which forms a part of a working circuit 12 which also includes a variable condenser 13 and a variable inductance 14.

The discharge device 3 comprises cooperating electrodes 15 and 16, supporting members 17 and 18 and an inclosing casing or receptacle 19. The electrodes 15 and 16 are of like construction and each comprises a tubular member of conducting material which is held in position by one of the supporting members 17- and 18 in a manner to be hereinafter set forth. The electrodes 15 and 16 are co-axially disposed and are- The interior of the electrodes being electrically connected to the I conductors 1 and 5 respectively.

The supporting members 17 and 18 are also of like construction and each comprises a body member 21 having an inwardly projecting centrally disposed sleeve portion 22;

\ through which one of the tubular electrodes or 16projects, and acentrally disposed recess 23 to receive suitable packing material 24 and a threaded plug member 25 which cotiperates in the usual manner of stufiing boxes to provide a tight joint be- I adapted to receive a neck portion 27 of the terial and is provided with oppositely pro-;

inclosing casing or receptacle 19 that is tightly secured to the sup I orting member 17 or '18 by'cement 28 or ot er suitable material.

The inclosing receptacle 19 is preferably made of glass or some other insulating majecting neck portions 27 and 29 which are respectively secured to the supporting members 17 and 18, in the manner hereinbefore described. Furthermore, the inclosing casing 19 isprovided with a downwardly prothe voltage passes through its first zero j acting portion 30 which is suitably connected to a pipe 31 which serves as a discharge outlet to exhaust and carry away the gas or fluid. The outer ends of the electrodes 15 and 16 are suitably connected to inlet pipes 32 through which a medium of gas or fluid is supplied to .the sparking device. 3 under pressure.

The interior of the tubular electrodes 15 and 16 constitutes a storage reservoir in which the medium of gas or fluid is maintained under pressure and from which it is projected in a radial direction between the adjacent edges of the cotiperating electrodes 15 and 16 at a predetermined high velocity, whereby the discharge path between the electrodes 15 and 16 is efiectively ruptured after the first passage of voltage, provided the velocity of the gas or fluid be sufiiciently great to increase the low resistance path established by the discharge to such an ex tent as to prevent a return discharge after value. Moreover, the passage of the fluid through theelectrodes 15 and 16 tends to cool them and maintain best operating conditions.

Manifestly, the velocity of the fluid jet projected radially between the adjacent edges of the electrodes 15 and 16 is a function of the discharge distance between the electrodes 15 and 16, the pressure of the gas or fluid within said electrodes and the pressure of the medium surrounding them, so"

names that it'is evident that by mutually adjust ing these values, the requisite jet velocity may be secured to rupture the discharge path' at the first zero point.

In normal operation, therefore, if the resistances 7 and the condenser 9 be adjusted to produce the required number of discharges per second between the'electrodes,-

axrapid succession of unidirectional interthe condenser, all of the discharge impulses will be in the same direction or of the same sign, whereas for alternating current, a series of trains or roups of waves will be produced corresponding to the positive and negative cycles of the charging wave and a succession of unidirectional positive impulses will be obtained throughout the duration of the positive cycle of the charging wave, while a succession of unidirectional negative impulses will result during the negative cycle of the charging current.

, he dischar e device shown in Fig. 1 is particularly a apted for use with a medium of hydrogen, although other gases and fluids may be successfully employed in connection therewith. By reason of the tubular structure of the coiiperating electrodes 15 and 16, the consumption thereof is uniform and slow, as the discharge always occurs between the nearest. points and, therefore, has a tendency to travel around the electrodes. Adjustments in the positions of the electrodes 15 and 16 may readily be made by loosening the stuffing boxes heretofore described and advancing the electrodes to the desired sparking distance.

When desirable, the inclosing receptacle 19 may be dispensed with and the electrodes 15 and 16 be operated in the open air. The structure may also be employed for the direct production of oscillatory waves in which case the supply of fluid should be moderate in order to effectively cool the electrodes.

' In actual practice there will, of course, be limitations to the potential that may be maintained across the gap for the reason that if the discharge distance be materially increased, it will become necessary to employ a prohibitive pressure within the electrodes in order to secure the requisite fluid velocity to efl'ect a rupture of the discharge ably mounted within a recess '35 which is path after the first discharge. Therefore,

in some cases where it is desirable to employ ahigh potential across the condenser 9 and the sparking apparatus 3, it will be found expedient to connect two or'more gaps like that shown in Fig. 1 in series, in which case the potential of the supply circuit may be proportionately increased. 1 Under conditions which require the use of two-gaps in series, I prefer to combine the gaps into a unitary structure such as is shown in Fig. 2 and which comprises two gaps 20 and 20 which embody two sets of cooperating electrodes 15 and 16 and 15 and 16, a middle supporting member 33, end supporting members 17 and 18 and an inclosing casingor receptacle 19.

1 The electrodes 16 and 16 are of conducting material and tubular in form, being removably secured in the outer walls 34 of the middle supporting member 33. The electrodes 15 and l5 are of similar construction and are located co-axially with respect to the electrodes 16 and 16 and separated therefrom by a small air gap. Moreover, each of the electrodes 15 and 15 is removprovided in an adjustable member- 36 that constitutes a ortion of one of the end supporting mem ers 17 and 18. The member 36 is slidably fitted within a cylindrical sleeve member 37 having an end wall 38 which is provided with. an opening to re'-' ceive a threaded adjusting plug 25 which surrounds a stem or rod' 39 the latter formber 36. By reason of the peculiar construction of the end supporting members 17 and 18, adjustments in the positions of the elec trodes 15 and 15 may be readily secured through the agency of the adjusting plugs 25, as will be readily understood. The particular construction of the supporting members 17 and18 set forth is merely illustrative of any suitable device for accomplishing the same purpose.

The inclosing caslng 19 .comprises a main casting 40 which is substantially elliptical in shape and which is provided at one side with a over plate 41 that is bolted thereto 'in a w known'manner. By removing the plate41, the cooperating electrodes 15, 15

16, a d 16 are readily accessible for renewal or repairs. Furthermore, the main casting 40 -is provided with oppositely projecting neck portions 27 and 29 into which the supporting end members 17 and 18, respectively, are tightly secured, bushings 42 of nonconducting material being interposed between the supporting end members 17 and 18 and the surrounding portions .of the inclosing casing 40 for purposes of insulation. A discharge opening 30 is also provided to carry away the waste gases or fluid.

The middle supporting member 33 which constitutes an inlet or supply opening, is recessed and suitably connected toa suppliy pipe 31. Although I have shown the m1 dle supporting -member 33 as forming an integral part of the inclosing casing 19, it should be understoodtha-t it may constitute an independent member, in which case,-it may or may not beinsulated from the easing 19. 1 I

Any suitable gas or fluid may be. employed in the device just described, although it is particularly adapted for the use of steam which must bedry and preferably In operation, the device is connected into a system similar to that shown in Fig. 1, and steam, or other suitable gasor fluid, is admitted, under pressure, into the tubular electrodes 16 and 16 and into the recesses or chambers 35 through the supply pipe 31 and the recessed middle supporting member 33. By reason of the difference in pressure between the interior and exterior of the tubular electrodes, the steam, or other medium, is discharged transversely in a radial direction across the spark gaps 20 and 20 at a high predetermined velocity whereby a succession of intermittent. unidirectional impulses is obtained as hereinbefore explained which may be employed in a manner hereinbefore set forth for setting up oscilla tory currents or waves of high frequency in a working-circuit.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a plurality of discharge deyices 3 and-3 are independently.

connected to a supply circuit 12 .in themanner shown in Fig.1, butthe working circuit 12 is so arranged as to be inductively related to both of the primary members 10 and 10 which are severally associated with the sparking devices 3 and 3*. It should be noted that-the primary member 10 has its connections reversed. 'so that the impulses which traverse it tend to set up impulses in the working circuit 12 in the opposite direction from the impulses which effect the working circuit through the primary member,10 associated with the sparking device 3. "If .then, by adjustments and manipulation, the impulses produced by the two sparking devices 3 and 3? be properly timed and displaced with respect to one another,

twice the usual number of impulses tending to set up oscillatory waves in the working circuit 12 are secured, said impulses being alternately in positive and negative direcinsulating material, Wl'llCh are secured in osition and in intimate contact with the interior and exterior surfaces of the said electrodes by rivets 45, or other suitable means. 7 A

It is evident, therefore, that only the extreme edges of the electrodes 15 and 16 are exposed and, therefore, the discharges will be concentrated and more effective. Fur- 15 and 16 and outer sleeves 44 are beveled or chamfered so that thedischarges are confined to the interior edges 46, while a high velocity of the fluid jet is obtained by reason of the rapid expansion of the medium permitted by the diverging end portlons of the electrodes 15 and 16 and outer sleeves 44.

In Fig. 5, one of the electrodes 15 is pro vided with an outer sleeve 44 of insulating material which is secured to the electrode 15 in the manner just described, but instead of employing an inner sleeve, as in the case of the electrodes shown in Fig. 4, I dispose -within the electrode 15 a block 47 of insulating material which is provided with an outwardly projecting pointed portion 48 which is somewhat conical in form and which is intended to" assist in deflecting the gas or fluid within theelectrode 16 toward the gap 20 which exists between adjacent edges of the coiiperating electrodes 15 and 16. In this manner, 'undue frictional resistance is prevented and the effectiveness of the fluid jet may be materially increased.

The modified device shown in Fig. 6 comprises essentially a pair or tubular electrodes 15 and 16 which are co-axially disposed but which are of different diameters, electrode 15 being the smaller. The electrodes 15 and 16 are spaced slightly apart to form a gap 20, but by reason of the difference in dlameter, it is evident that the discharge between the adjacent edges thereof occurs at an angle to the axis of the elec- 0 trodes.

The electrode 15 is centrally disposedwithin a substantially spherical recess 50 that is provided in one end of a supporting member 17 and projects slightly be-' yond said member 17 into cotiperative rerings or sleeves 43 and 44, respectively, of

thermore, the outer edges of the electrodes lationship to the electrode 16. The spherical recess 50 is connected to a supply or inlet pipe 31 through a suitable passage 51. Furthermore, the outer end 52 of the supporting member 17 is provided with an annular recess 26 into which a funnel-shaped memberi53 of glass or other insulating material is suitably secured by means of cement 28.

The funnel-shaped member 53 projects into coiiperative engagement with the outer edge of the electrode 16 whereby the escape into the surrounding atmosphere of the gas or fluid which is received from a supply pipe 31 is prevented, and said fluid is directed at high velocity in the form of an annular stream across the discharge path between the tubular electrodes 15 and 16, as Will be readily understood.

For purposes of support and adjustment, the electrode 15 is secured to the end of a rod 54 which projects through a suitable stuffing box 55 that is provided in the rear end 56 of the supporting member 17.

In operation, if the velocity of the gas or fluid across the gap 20 is properly determined, the discharge path will be ruptured after the'first passage of energy and a succession of intermittent unidirectional impulses will be produced, which may be employed in a manner already described for producingfthe desired high frequency oscillatory waves or currents. Obviously, if a stream of fluid of moderate velocity be employed, the device may be successfully operated for directly producing oscillatory discharges or true sparks and high frequency oscillatory waves.

It will, of course, be understood by those skilled in the art that the devices herein shown and described are only illustrative of particular means that may be employed for specific purposes and that the details of construction and the relative arrangement and location of parts may be materially varied from what is set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I deslre that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for producing oscillatory currents, the combination with an induction circuit, a coupled primary or exciting circuit and an exciting source, of a discharge gap in said exciting circuit provided with means for subjecting the electrodes thereof to a moving insulatmg medium with a velocity and direction adapted to prevent oscillation of the discharge therethrough.

said induction circuit and a source of en-- ergy, of a discharge gap in said interrupted circuit comprising a plurallty of alined hollow electrodes, and means forpassing through said electrodes and through the annular gap formed by them of an insulating medium at high velocity adapted to prevent oscillation in the gap.

4. In apparatus for producing high frequency oscillatory currents, a pair of axially alined hollow electrodes spaced apart to form a narrow annular gap between the adjacent edges thereof, and means for pro-- jecting a stream of insulating fluid radially across said gap.

5. In apparatus for producing high ,frequency; oscillatory currents, the combination with a source of energy and an induction circuit, of a coupled interrupted cir-' cuit having a discharge gap comprising a pair of open-ended hollow electrodes spaced apart to form an annular gap, and means for effecting a discharge of insulating fluid outwardly across said gap whereby to prevent oscillation therein.

6. An electric discharge device comprisin a pair of open-ended hollow electrodes axially alined and spaced apart to form a narrow annular gap and a casing surrounding said gap adapted to maintain an insulating fluid under pressure flowing between the adjacent edges of said electrodes and projecting outwardly.-

7. A discharge device comprising a pair of co-axially placed tubular electrodes spaced apart to form a narrow annular gap, a casing surrounding said gap having a discharge opening and means to continually supply an insulating fluid under pressure within said electrodes and flowing outwardly between them.

8. In a discharge device for electrical apparatus, the combination with a receptacle having oppositely disposed contracted. tubular end portions, hollow end members having inwardly disposed annular recesses into which said end portions project, and means for intimately uniting said end portions to said end members, of a pair-of coaxial tubular electrodes projecting through said end members and end portions and into said receptacle and spaced apart to form an annular gap between. the adjacent edges thereof, means for introducing a fluid medium under pressure into the outer ends of said electrodes and discharging it radially across said annular gap, and means associated with said receptacle for carrying away said fluid medium.

. 9. Ina discharge device for electrical ap-.

paratus, the combination with a receptacle having oppositely disposed contracted tu bular end portions, hollow end members having inwardly disposed. annular recesses into which said end portions project, and means for intimately uniting said end portions to said end members, of a pair of coaxial tubular electrodes projecting through said end members and end portions and into said receptacle and spaced apart to. form an annular gap between the adjacent edges thereof, and adjustable means associated with said end members for varying the spacing of said electrodes.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this eighteenth day of November, 1911.

JAMES C. ARMOR. Witnesses:

WINFRED N. LURooTT, JOHN P. DAVIS. 

